Single-Click Support for Curriculum

ABSTRACT

At the click of a button, a student is connected with a live expert or teacher along with the resource the student is viewing. The student and the expert both have the same learning resource in a shared environment and the expert is able to help the student. After the live learning session, the student returns back to self-learning mode and continues with the original sequence.

This application claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of provisionalapplication No. 61/026,911 filed Feb. 7, 2008, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Students of e-learning face much frustration when they come across atopic they are not able to understand. The e-learning system may provideanimations, audio and video support to explain a concept. In spite ofthese different features, the student may still be stuck, unable tofollow a topic or concept and is ready to give up on further learning.The invention described here provides a feature for instant humansupport at the click of a button on the e-learning system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be realized fromthe detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary E-learning system.

FIGS. 2-20 are exemplary illustrations of display screen images inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is an E-learning system according to an exemplary aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps for implementing oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an E-learning system interfacing witha server according to one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At the click of a button, the student is connected with a live expert orteacher along with the resource (be it an animation or a page or a videoor audio) the student is viewing (or reading). The student and theexpert both have the same learning resource in a shared environment andthe expert is able to help the student. After the live learning session,the student returns back to self-learning mode and continues with theoriginal sequence.

The invention described here offers live human support at the point offailure (during self directed e-learning) and helps a student continuefurther in the e-learning program. The state of the e-learning system(choices made by a student during self-learning) is also maintainedduring the switch from self-learning to shared learning with a humansubject matter expert. Upon completion of the help session, the studentis returned to the original spot in the self-learning program.

FIG. 1 illustrates the state of the art, self-directed e-learningsystems. FIGS. 2 through 6 describe typical self-directed learning incurrent e-learning systems. FIGS. 7 through 11 demonstrate the one clickinstant access to a human expert for additional help via a sharedlearning framework. FIG. 12 illustrates the archives of such helpsessions.

FIGS. 13 through 15 illustrate how state information (choices made by astudent) during self-learning mode are preserved and used in the sharedlearning mode with an expert human teacher.

FIGS. 16 through 20 illustrate the invention with examples from atypical introductory level course in Reading comprehension. Thesefigures use both text and activity based learning examples.

FIG. 21, similar in nature to FIG. 1 illustrates the key features of theinvention.

FIG. 1—Current state of the art E-learning systems. Users consume“lessons” (audio, video, animation, text and other resources) in somesequential manner. The flow of lessons may incorporate quizzes andassessment to adjust the sequence of topics/lessons.

FIG. 2—Illustrates a student logging into an e-learning system. Topright box shows the login fields.

FIG. 3—The list of topics (which may be adjusted based on assessmentresults) for a subject (in this case English) are shown. Studentstypically follow such a sequence in all e-learning systems.

FIG. 4—List of topics for Math are shown. This list is representative ofthe scope and sequence followed in current state of the art e-learningsystems. The learning sessions may involve interacting with animations,text, quiz/practice problems or viewing video files or listening toaudio files.

FIG. 5—Shows the flow of learning for a given topic. In this figure,student going though a problem (or assessment) is illustrated. On thetop left, one can see numbers 1 through 4 signifying that there are 4problems in this exercise and that the learner is on the first problem.

FIG. 6—Student is at exercise 3 in a particular lesson module. Studentis assumed to be unable to proceed further in the exercise and needsadditional help. Current e-learning systems may provide access tovideo/audio resources to help the student. In the invention describedhere, the student clicks the “Live Tutoring” button on the top right.(First in a series of 3 buttons on the top right).

FIG. 7—Students clicking of “live tutoring” button (shown in FIG. 6)connects a student with a live subject matter expert/teacher/tutor. Thefigure above shows a student connecting with a teacher. David is thename of this particular student.

FIG. 8—The “learning resource” the student was working on in the“self-learning” mode is now shared between the tutor and student. Inthis shared learning space, student and tutor can discuss the lessontopic or resource. The chat window shows initial interaction between thetutor and student. The learning resource the student was working on inthe self-learning mode is on the whiteboard underneath the chat window.

FIG. 9—Further discussion of the topic between tutor/student. Both areable to write (or manipulate) further on the learning resource. Whateverchoice the student had made (clicking on the third button) in theself-learning mode is saved and is also used in the shared learningspace between the student and the subject matter expert. Through this,the stand-alone learning resource form a self-learning mode becomes a“shared resource” between a learner and the expert (at the click of abutton). Now both are able to annotate or “discuss” the topic further.

FIG. 10—Further discussion of the topic between the student and thesubject matter expert.

FIG. 11—after the discussion, the student is able to “terminate” theshared session with an expert by clicking the “leave” button (left menuitem) and return to self-learning mode. The student is returned to thespot where the student was in the scope and sequence of thecourse/curriculum.

FIG. 12—The live and shared learning session with an expert becomes apart of the list of topics associated with a subject. The student maylater access such archived sessions for further review. In the archivedmode, the student can review the interactions with the expert, but isnot connected to the expert.

FIG. 13—A simulation based learning resource is shown as part of acurriculum sequence. Student may manipulate and experiment with theinteractive controls and set different parameters for the simulation.

FIG. 14—At the click of the live support button, student gets connectedto the tutor (subject matter expert). The state of the simulation, i.e.,inputs set by the student are preserved and the such inputs are part ofthe shared learning with the tutor. The interactions between the studentand the learning module/quiz are saved and the used during sharedlearning mode.

FIG. 15—Shared manipulation of the learning resources by student and thetutor during the live help sessions.

FIG. 16—A typical reading comprehension related curriculum is shown. Itconsists of hands-on interactive learning activities and comprehensionquizzes. In the self-learning mode, a student can go through text (andanswer questions associated with the text) and also work on theactivities.

FIG. 17—Normal progression in self-learning mode. Student is in questionsix on a reading comprehension exercise.

FIG. 18—Upon clicking the button “Live Tutoring”, the lesson the studentwas working on in self-learning mode (FIG. 16) along with the choicesthe student may have made are placed in a shared learning space(whiteboard) with a live tutor. The tutor and student interactivelydiscuss the questions further.

FIG. 19—An interactive learning activity in self-learning mode. Studentsare supposed to try the activity on their own. They can try differentselections associated with the activity. In this example, a student mayclick on different boxes (words).

FIG. 20—Upon clicking the “Live Tutoring” button by a student (inself-learning mode), the activity is transferred from self-learning modeto shared learning with an expert tutor. The choices a student had madein the activity are preserved and used in the shared learning space.

FIG. 21—Summary description of the human expert help integratede-learning system. Student learns in self-learning mode and is able toget help when such help is desired.

FIG. 22 is an exemplary flow chart showing exemplary steps taken whenimplementing the subject matter of this disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an E-learning system interfacing witha server.

In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to aninteractive e-learning system. The system includes one or more internetor other network connected computing server systems having a collectionof multi-media lessons, quizzes, additional learning resources and alearning management system. The system also includes a student computerstation for use by a student desiring e-learning in a specific subjectmatter. The student computer station communicates with the computingserver system through the internet or other computer network. Thelearning management system generates instruction on the specific subjectmatter stored within the computer server system for the student. Thecomputer server system and the learning management system are capable ofinteracting with the student in a two-way conversational mode.

In some aspects, the memory stores information on a learning module forcoursework for which the student is going through e-learning. In someaspects, the student computer station communicates via the Internet tocommunicate with the computing server system. In some aspects, thesubject matter is associated with a specific curriculum. The specificcurriculum may includes multimedia learning modules and other problemsassociated with a course load. The problems and an associatedstep-by-step teaching module solution are stored within the learningmanagement system.

In some aspects, the e-learning system also includes means forcommunicating with a live subject matter expert. The live subject matterexpert may provide instruction on the specified subject matter. Themeans for communicating with a live subject matter expert may include awhiteboard providing real-time communication of both textual andnon-textual contents. The virtual whiteboard may be simultaneouslyviewable and modifiable by both the student and subject matter expert.

In some aspects, the computing server system includes an interfacemodule for interfacing with the student through the student computerstation. In some aspects, the learning management system providesfeedback on tasks completed by the student.

In another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to amethod of providing an interactive e-learning session to a student in aspecific subject matter. The method may include the steps of initiatingcontact with a computing system by a student via a student computerstation. The computing server system has a learning management systemand a memory storing information on the specific subject matter. Themethod may include the steps of selecting a specific subject matter forwhich the student needs e-learning, querying by the student on aspecific problem or question on the specific subject matter, andresponding by the computing server system by generating a teachingmodule on the specific problem or question on the specific subjectmatter. The method also may include engaging in a two-way conversationbetween the computing server system and the student on the specificproblem or question on the specific subject matter.

In some aspects, the specific subject matter includes referencematerials from a specific course curriculum. The specific coursecurriculum can include multimedia learning modules, problems andquestions, the multimedia learning modules, problems, questions andsolutions being managed by the learning management system. The computingsystem provides e-learning on a specific problem or question queried bythe student.

In some aspects, the method also includes the steps of requesting by thestudent additional support from a live subject matter expert, connectinga live subject matter expert with the student by the computing system,and help by the live subject matter expert to the student.

In some aspects, the student communicates with the live subject matterexpert utilizing a whiteboard to communicate both textual andnon-textual content.

In some aspects, the learning module or quiz or learning resource thestudent was working on prior to initiating the communication with thesubject matter expert is automatically placed on the shared learningspace or whiteboard between the student and the subject matter expert.

In some aspects, the status of the learning module or quiz or learningresource the student was working on prior to initiating thecommunication with the subject matter expert are captured and the statusinformation of the learning module, or quiz or learning resource isautomatically placed on the shared whiteboard between the student andthe subject matter expert.

In some aspects, the e-learning system includes means for archiving asession and any associated data conducted between the student, thesubject matter expert and the computing server system.

In some aspects, the interactive e-learning system further comprisesmeans for taking the student back to the original module in thecurriculum and in self e-learning mode upon completion of the helpsession with a subject matter expert.

Although a selected embodiment has been illustrated and described, itshould be understood that a variety of substitutions and alterations arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, as defined by the claims that follow.

1. An interactive e-learning system, the system comprising: one or moreinternet connected computing server systems having a collection ofmulti-media lessons, quizzes, additional learning resources and alearning management system; and a student computer station for use by astudent desiring e-learning in a specific subject matter, the studentcomputer station communicating with the computing server system throughthe internet or other computer network; the learning management systemgenerating instruction on the specific subject matter stored within thecomputer server system for the student, the computer server system andthe learning management system capable of interacting with the studentin a two-way conversational mode.
 2. The interactive e-learning systemof claim 1 wherein the memory stores information on a learning modulefor coursework for which the student is going through e-learning.
 3. Theinteractive e-learning system of claim 1 wherein the student computerstation communicates via the Internet to communicate with the computingserver system.
 4. The interactive e-learning system of claim 1 whereinthe subject matter is associated with a specific curriculum.
 5. Theinteractive e-learning system of claim 4 wherein the specific curriculumincludes multimedia learning modules and other problems associated witha course load, the problems and an associated step-by-step teachingmodule solution being stored within the learning management system. 6.The interactive e-learning system of claim 1 further comprising: meansfor communicating with a live subject matter expert, the live subjectmatter expert providing instruction on the specified subject matter. 7.The interactive tutorial system of claim 6 wherein the means forcommunicating with a live subject matter expert includes a whiteboardproviding real-time communication of both textual and non-textualcontents.
 8. The interactive e-learning system of claim 1 wherein thecomputing server system includes an interface module for interfacingwith the student through the student computer station.
 9. Theinteractive tutorial system of claim 1 wherein the learning managementsystem provides feedback on tasks completed by the student.
 10. A methodof providing an interactive e-learning session to a student in aspecific subject matter, the method comprising the steps of: initiatingcontact with a computing system by a student via a student computerstation, the computing server system having learning management systemand a memory storing information on the specific subject matter;selecting a specific subject matter for which the student needse-learning; querying by the student on a specific problem or question onthe specific subject matter; responding by the computing server systemby generating a teaching module on the specific problem or question onthe specific subject matter; and engaging in a two-way conversationbetween the computing server system and the student on the specificproblem or question on the specific subject matter.
 11. The method ofproviding an interactive e-learning session to a student in a specificsubject matter of claim 10 wherein the specific subject matter includesreference materials from a specific course curriculum.
 12. The method ofproviding an interactive e-learning session to a student in a specificsubject matter of claim 11 wherein: the specific course curriculumincludes multimedia learning modules, problems and questions, themultimedia learning modules, problems, questions and solutions beingmanaged by the learning management system; and the computing systemproviding e-learning on a specific problem or question queried by thestudent.
 13. The method of providing an interactive e-learning sessionto a student in a specific subject matter of claim 10 further comprisingthe steps of: requesting by the student additional support from a livesubject matter expert; connecting a live subject matter expert with thestudent by the computing system; and help by the live subject matterexpert to the student.
 14. The method of providing an interactivee-learning session to a student in a specific subject matter of claim 13wherein the student communicates with the live subject matter expertutilizing a whiteboard to communicate both textual and non-textualcontents.
 15. The method of providing an interactive e-learning sessionto a student in a specific subject matter of claim 13 wherein thelearning module or quiz or learning resource the student was working onprior to initiating the communication with the subject matter expert isautomatically placed on the shared learning space or whiteboard betweenthe student and the subject matter expert.
 16. The method of providingan interactive e-learning session to a student in a specific subjectmatter of claim 13 wherein the status of the learning module or quiz orlearning resource the student was working on prior to initiating thecommunication with the subject matter expert are captured and the statusinformation of the learning module, or quiz or learning resource isautomatically placed on the shared whiteboard between the student andthe subject matter expert.
 17. The interactive e-learning system ofclaim 13 further comprising means for archiving a session and anyassociated data conducted between the student, the subject matter expertand the computing server system.
 18. The interactive e-learning systemof claim 13 further comprising means for taking the student back to theoriginal module in the curriculum and in self e-learning mode uponcompletion of the help session with a subject matter expert.